The plot currently houses the club’s practice nets which would be removed to create parking spaces for the residents.

But planning officers at Stoke-on-Trent City Council have now rejected the scheme due to concerns about access, parking, highway safety, the loss of sporting facilities - and cricket balls striking the new flats.

Planners have recommended plans for 16 retirement apartments to be built on land at Burslem Cricket Club are refused

A council report states: “Overall, there is a concern regarding the loss of a sports facility, the potential for the development to be at risk of ball strike from the cricket pitch, parking provision and access."

Resident Stephen Blakemore, who lives on Bowler’s Close, next to the cricket club, said a ball had never struck his home.

The 44-year-old said: “There is a risk of ball strikes here. But, to my knowledge, there has never been a cricket ball that has landed here, and I am bang in line for the six!

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“I am concerned the club sold some of the land for housing to be built on it. I do not feel we have been consulted at all. It is going to affect me and my neighbour.

“Festival Park is busy enough at it is. It is a hell of a hill for OAPs to be walking up and down. There is no direct bus stop - the closest ones are outside the nursing home or where the old PC World used to be. I do not think it is a suitable location for retirement apartments.

“If they do build the homes and OAPs do live there, it will put lives at risk as most cars come down this road speeding, above the 30mph limit. That is why we do not let our children play outside.”

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Tom Minshall, aged 23, of Festival Close, feared the development would have led to an increase in traffic. He said: “From about 4pm it can take 20 minutes to half an hour to get from one side of Festival Park to the other. The new apartments would lead to extra traffic.”